It might be difficult to celebrate the New Year because of all that is happening in the world. Add to it that we are away from our loved ones because most probably we could not go home to be with them because of the pandemic. But we must not let the situation deter us from making the best of what we hope 2021 would offer. If we ring the New Year with all the negativity and hopelessness of 2020, it would be difficult to have a positive attitude the rest of the year, seeing that the dire state of the world is not relenting soon.
So, in spite of that bleak introduction, this post is actually a “how to” on how we could welcome 2021 on a positive vibe even if we are away from family and even if we have to do it within the confines of our home.
Make your presence felt.
Bless technology and how it made the distance felt smaller. As we welcome in the New Year make your presence felt by taking advantage of technology. Have a Zoom party and greet everyone in your friends list. You might think that you could pass up greeting this person because you haven’t talked to them in a while but you never know how much a simple greeting could change that person’s life. They might be depressed and in despair but when you sent them a message, they might think that at least someone took the time to greet them. With all that is happening in the world, Caring for your Mental Health should be a priority for the New Year and making your presence felt no matter the distance is a way for you to care for your friends and loved ones’ mental health. Check up on them once and a while and let them know that you are always available to listen to their plights and woes.
Keep up with your traditions.
You might think that celebrating alone is sad and or that doing the traditions that your family used to do when celebrating the New Year would only make you miss them more. Yes these are both true but keeping the traditions alive would make you feel connected to them.
If it is your tradition to buy 12 round fruits, do so. Even if you don’t believe the superstitions but this is what your mother usually do, head to the supermarket and buy grapes, oranges, melons and other round fruits to complete the necessary 12. At least, you’d be sure to stay healthy the next year after eating all those 12 fruits.
If it is your tradition to wear polka dots, wear one even if you would just be staying at home and waiting for the clock to strike midnight.
If it is your tradition to write New Year’s Resolutions, keep up with it! Have your own 100 Life Goals to Achieve by the More Wais OFW.
Watch fireworks (albeit virtually).
No New Year celebration would be complete without fireworks. It is still recommended to stay home and if you are lucky to live in an elevated place, watch the fireworks from your windows or rooftops. But if you don’t have this option, you could just watch fireworks virtually. People all over the world would celebrate and fireworks display would definitely be televised for the benefits of the people staying at home.
It might be hard to find any reason to celebrate because of the situation, soon all of this will become another memory and we would just look back at all the Things to do by a Vacationing OFW Post-Pandemic because by then, hopefully, everything would be back to normal and we could watch fireworks with our family and loved ones in person back home.
Stay safe.
We have to always remember that it is still not safe even if vaccines are already available. People react to the virus differently and you would read stories about athletes or gym rats that got the virus but still perished. No matter how active or healthy lifestyle they led. No one could really say what will happen and the only thing that we could do is to try and stay safe. As OFWs, we must double the caution since some of us live in another country without any family or close relatives. We should always exhibit Acceptable OFW Behaviors During the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Remember what matters.
When we survive this pandemic and as we welcome in 2021, we have to still bring with us the lessons of 2020. We have to remember what matters. Not money or which balikbayan box is bigger or who travelled the most or who is more popular in social media. Our health and relationship with families is what’s important. We have to look at the situation and figure out How Covid Should Change us OFWs for the better.
The situation is not ideal. But do we whine and complain about it? Of course not, because we would not achieve anything by just moaning. We could not change the situation but we could change our attitude and reaction to the situation. Ringing in the New Year this year is far unusual than what we are used to, but there are still numerous blessings to be thankful for.
An Overseas Filipino Worker since 2008, Yvette is back in the Middle East after a brief stint in a first world country in South East Asia. She is a binge watcher and is part of numerous fandoms. She writes to keep her sanity (read her rantings on Wattpad @yvette_dc) and is happiest when she's in a bookstore. If given the resources, she would see the world.